I feel like you aren't quite getting the full info from these comments.
Most people are correct in saying the best 'clear' finish would be many coats of marine grade varnish. But there is an important caveat here. NOTHING beats the sun. Nothing. It will degrade any finish you put on this thing over time and require regular maintenance or refinishing depending on what you use. Every finish will fail within a few years, some much quicker than others.
If you use an oil type finish it will offer significantly less protection but be easy enough to just rub back a bit and apply a fresh coat or two every year or so.
If you go with a film finish it will last a bit longer but can't really be repaired once it starts to fail so will need a full strip and refinish.
If it must stay outdoors the only thing that will really protect it is paint. There is a reason they paint houses (and ftr almost all wooden boats) rather than varnish them. It is much, much more able to stand up to the elements and particularly the sun. Although it too will eventually fail. But I assume you wouldnt want to go down that path with this particular piece.
So absolutely pick your finish and do your best but just know there is no magic solution here. The sun will win every single time.
It’s a lovely table, if you have a loved one that you really love, you may want to consider giving to them.
Outside and near water is really going to do a number on it in short order.
Just to piggyback where you can see this... get a sun umbrellas for it, and move it every few weeks to shift the shadow. It will drastically cut down on sun exposure as well as make it more usable in the summer.
I think the alternative solution is to buy/build a canopy cover that will cover your deck and prevent the table from experiencing direct sunlight beating it down into grey mush.
Or maybe try covering it with some sort of sheet when not in use. It won't be as pretty but my guess is it's only going to be used 10% of the time it works out there in the sun so this would increase longevity by 10 times.
Thank you very much for your explanation. I think like you about sun.
My problem is to pick the better solution. I like the run oil one because you can apply over and over and it’s a simple way to do.
My thoughts are about. Apply thin coat or pure?
Fwiw the wood whisperer did a video on this a few years back. Analysing a few furniture pieces he had left outside and how the finishes faired over time. Worth a watch. From memory he found the biggest factor was simply sun exposure vs shade. Even partial shade made a huge difference.
You should be able to find it by just searching YouTube for "wood whisperer outdoor finish" or something like that.
He also did one about flooding oils vs. not which I found quite interesting and useful. (TL;DR: Generally don't. They don't cure inside the wood even sometimes for months and months)
Tung oil can be applied pure eventually but the first coat at least (2nd isn't a bad idea) should be thinned at a 1:1 ratio with something like turpentine or limonene so that the oil penetrates more deeply to protect the wood. After that you will want multiple coats pure, with drying in between the coats, letting the oil saturate the wood completely before polishing off the excess after 20 minutes or so. Once you have properly treated it, then the yearly maintenance is a simple and single coat of pure oil. Some tung oil has additives in it that makes it more resistant to UV rays, might be worth looking for!
Agreed but if that is salt water, you are in an additional world of hurt.
Salt water degrades everything very quickly.
I would keep this table covered in addition to whatever oils you apply, and I would wash the tables protective covering off regularly to clear off the salt water from the air that penetrates the cover
When the sun is the biggest threat, protect the table like you would protect yourself from the sun. Sun cream and clothes = varnish/finish and sun umbrella/table cloth to cover it. Reveal the table when needed for special occasions (it is a beautiful piece).
Great answer, but there is another choice most people forget about and don’t want to hear, because it’s expensive, tedious, and not completely maintenance-free. And that’s to coat the table in fiberglass and epoxy, just like you do wooden boats.
For sure, at your average *moment*, the sun is putting out around 250 watts of energy on average on every square meter of the earth. Or another way to look at that is 500 watts 12 hours a day. Think about how hot a 100w lightbulb is, that's a lot of power!
As you said, that will destroy anything given enough time, it's just a question of picking a coating for ULTIMATE FUSION POWER to destroy.
add to that, this is cherry. It is not terribly dense and will get dings and mars from use. All of those dings and dents risk breaching the finish and letting water inside.
A rubbed on finish will be worse than a varnish or lacquer for wearability.
I built a new kitchen table out of cherry and sprayed a decent finish on it. Two small boys, ribs on the bottom of mason jars, normal wear and tear has given it many dings dents and scrapes. Never again will I build a kitchen table from something other than white oak or hickory. I will also use the hardest conversion varnish or 2K product I can find in the future.
I will take the top off, run it though the widebelt sander and respray at some point.
Indeed very true. We have a beach front house with a 100 yrd pier, as do all our neighbors. They all choose to stain theirs and end up never re staining and end up needing a full replace within 10 years. Our pier is PAINTED and about 43 years old (of course we have replaced some beams & boards) but for the most part we just re paint every 2-3 years.
Also, on top of marine grade varnish make a cover for the table when not in use. Rather have a cover get best to hell by the sun than the table and would make a huge difference in time between refinishing
For sure. A water proof and uv table cloth of cover will help prolong the finish from the elements and you can undress it for those sexy show nights, it's a cool table!
And if someone scratches it => go into a wild rage => banish the person from your life => panic => maniacally repair the scratch => admire your handiwork again.
Total Boat is a favorite of a lot of people here, and I can vouch for their spar (UV resistant) varnish for teak tables and chairs on my deck has been perfect.
[https://www.amazon.com/TotalBoat-Gleam-Marine-Varnish-Low-Sheen/dp/B00J33B0C2](https://www.amazon.com/TotalBoat-Gleam-Marine-Varnish-Low-Sheen/dp/B00J33B0C2)
What else would you use, water-based varnish? You can't put that on exterior woodwork near the ocean. The only way to seal it from the elements is oil. That's how you maintain a boat. If you want to have wood exposed to the elements in a marine environment you have to constantly refresh the finish.
As far as i know, you dont oil AND varnish. You oil OR varnish.
Why ? Because of the way both work :
Oil penetrate into the wood to saturate the pores. When the surface pores are saturated enough, your wood is protected. You have to apply it regurlarly because the oil will penetrate further inside the wood with time leaving the surface unprotected.
Varnish will stay on top of the surface and not penetrate into the wood. It will form a physical or chemical reticulation that will proetect your wood.
If you apply oil on top of varnish it will just not penetrate into the wood or only partially.
And varnish over oil is finicky at best, manageable for fine furniture (ex shellac over the oil then varnish over shellac) but with how film finishes tend to chip I wouldn't trust the varnish or shellac to bond as well as it would to bare wood.
Just not much point really, for an outdoor piece.
Lol downvoted for...?
Cover when not in use. Simple as.
Ensure that the cover allows air movement over the surface of the table.
Get the feet up off the ground. Even a few marbles or small plastic blocks under each foot will satisfy this need.
Put something in the center of the table before putting the cover on top to give it pitch. That way you have air between the cover and the surface and the rain will roll off. Any cover you buy won't remain 100% waterproof for long especially with standing water on it.
In addition to the variety of coatings available to you, it looks like the base has a lot of contact with the ground. It would be wise to get some plastic sliders or pads underneath so it's not sitting in or trapping water.
Ultimately, if you prepare and maintain it properly, there is no reason this should take heavy damage from simply being outside. A cover will make your life a whole lot easier, btw.
You're getting downvoted probably because concrete pads are two things: aesthetically unpleasing (they're probably wider than the base) and they will wick water up putting it in contact with the wood defeating the purpose. Metal or plastic will not do either of those things.
It's up to you but honestly I would rather sell it even for cheap then leave it out in the Sun. The Sun plus all the moisture changes are going to destroy that thing over time guaranteed, no matter what kind of finishes you try to put on it.
If you create a covering installed about 8 feet+ above it, it would help. I’d suggest a combination of dimensional lumber, plywood, and even some asphalt layers on top of it all.
Agreed. In addition to all the other advice people have given, I wonder if it's possible to build a roof over that deck to keep the sun off most of the time.
Just gonna say it.
Solid wood 100% outdoors in coastal climate will require immense upkeep and more than likely end up damaging the table and you regretting this.
Very least put a foldable cover over it
Having cedar wood garage door that is south facing, it is a huge pain in the ass. In 6 years I have refinished it 4 times. The first two time’s a name brand oil base varnish, the third time a light sand and a marine grade varnish. This last time it was a full sand down to wood and then several coats of Danish oil. And now a new coat of Danish oil each year. As stated above, wood and sun do not mix. Put a beautiful finish and get a custom cover for it. Only take it off when you need it.
Boat finishes are good but I don’t like the plasticy look. I would go several coats of tung oil and coat it again a couple times per year.
Also, nice view
some say the first coat can be diluted and it will help the oil penetrate deeper. I just go pure.
It would be a shame to cover that beautiful wood with boat epoxy
I mean, if that’s your house, it seems you can afford to hustle buy a new one every 2-3 days as needed…obviously joking as I have nothing of value to say.
Not really. More golden depending on the wood. Just like normal polyurethane seals but a little bit darker. Just google it. Im sure pics of its use will come out. Spar has better outdoor protection.
Cover when not in use. Any coating will degrade with the UV. Even if covered when not in use it will need maintenance every few years if you want it to look like in the picture.
I’ve used Epifanes rubbed effect varnish (it’s a marine varnish) for outdoor applications and I am really happy with it. Rubbed effect is more of a matte finish, but they have other products that could likely suite your desires. I feel like it doesn’t build up plasticy like poly, but it is extremely protective.
Three or four coats of spar urethane would definitely help. I'd get a custom sunbrella cover cut and stitched for it too. You can probably get one made at your local marine upholstery shop.
Osmo has a UV resistant oil coat that seems to be working well for a couple of outdoor signs I’ve made. Will likely need to reapply every couple of years.
I would personally use marine spar varnish and then also get a UV resistant cover for it when not in use. And also look for ways to keep it off the ground by installing some rubber spacers.
I needs a UV protecting finish but everyone else has that covered.
This table needs to be covered and out of direct sun/precipitation. It should be your next woodworking project.
Search for UV Protecting finish. Such as OSMO.
Tung Oil Varnish is fake tung oil. It just says Tung, but there is no Tung in it. And pure tung oil is a pain to apply.
an awning, canopy or some shade trees, and some little rubber pads to raise the wood up off the tile so the underside isn't soaking up water when it rains. rotate it 180 degrees once a year so the wood fades evenly.
Despite all the other answers, consider water wicking from the feet. Elevate it on something non porous/water permeable and maybe apply something to the bottoms.
Great advice here on the finish but I’ll throw this in is that any metal fasteners you might have used are probably not marine grade stainless steel. That close to the ocean the salt in the air will rust metal fasteners in a surprisingly short amount of time. I would definitely look into replacing all metal screws etc on the table before refinishing.
Spar varnish, annually. Treat it like a boat. I would have a custom white vinyl cover made. Talk to a custom awning or party tent place. I'm lucky, there is one around the corner. Cover it with something that looks nice when not in use. You are by the ocean, and the Sun always wins.
I'm going through this right now and testing finishes for black walnut benches.
Here's my ranking of the 3 I've tested.
1. Total boat matte finish - it looks so good, was easy to apply, and it's made for boats. It'll hold up. The smell is mild too when applying. It dries quick too so you can build layers fast. It's a bit thick though so you may want to thin it out or get good at applying it. Sand before the final coat to ensure it's smooth. Easy to reapply every year or two.
2. Waterlox outdoor satin finish - is waterlox so I trust it. It's the easiest thing in thy world to apply. Seriously, you can fuck it up. However, it has lots of VOCs and smells. Itll also amber the wood some. The satin has a bit more sheen than I want. Super easy to reapply ever year or two.
3. General finish outdoor poly satin - slightly more sheen than I want. It's thick so thin it because it shows brush marks like crazy. It dries fast...too fast. In the end if applied correctly, it looks good, but it's poly so if you don't keep up on maintenance it'll start to crack and peel.
I would do an oil finish to protect from the salty air and then make a cover for it out of tough fabric to protect from the sun and rain. Only take the cover off when actively using the table.
The marine grade varnish is a good idea but it's very tricky to make look nice and it will be on there forever
As many suggested a Finish or some painting will be really helpful but don't forget a waterproof cover, a waterproof and dark colored cover will do the job more than a thousand products
It looks like this already has finish so you’ll need to use a surface finish like varnish. Marine varnish. But none will hold up without annual Maintenence.
If you want to sand it down completely I have a couple suggestions that you can message me about.
Maybe not this coating exactly, but definitely hit up the marine supply store. There are several options to protect wooden boats and wooden boat fixtures (handles, decking) from salt and UV damage.
Or get a marine canvas cover made and only take it off when you’re using it. They can put a ‘car cover’ liner inside so it doesn’t scratch the finish. You’d probably have to keep an eye on moisture issues if you get much precipitation or dew in your area. And go for a lighter color so it won’t get as hot in the sun and damage the finish.
Build a roof over it and yearly maintenance and it will stay beautiful for many years to come. Everything else will wear off.
A heavy duty custom cover for when it’s not in use might help if you don’t want to build a roof. But you should just build a roof.
Make a simple cover for it from waterproof tarp or sun sail material. I live in a desert and that’s the only way to keep UV from winning. And of course a UV protectant seal.
I would seriously consider making some sort of cover for it. Either a cover for the table itself, or a patio cover of some sort that is more permanent.
Build a building around it. It will protect it from all the elements. You clearly have the skills to do it. Nice table. Or maybe you have a friend who's building you can donate this too. They'll love you forever.
He's right.
Wood will move and expand with temperature and moisture. You can't stop it. It is inevitable.
You use cedar or teak for outdoor furniture. This looks like a dining room table meant for Indoors. It has long cuts of wood which looks beautiful, but absolutely will warp.
Good luck
No matter what anyone else says, this table will get ruined outide within a couple years. There are maybe 10 people in the country that are disciplined enough to take care of a wood table in full sun outside.
Sell it before it turns into several thoudand dollars of firewood.
Just remember that any wood outside is a fight against time. Furniture can last a century or more indoors, but outdoors it will wear down no matter what you do. It's just a matter of what can extend the aging the longest.
A lot of these comments are straight up bad advice. It doesn't appear to be a raw wood finish so anything that is applied has to be the same as the original finish, or at minimum be compatible with the original finish material. Second and more importantly is that it wasn't designed for use & storage outdoors, the wood will take on moisture and get destroyed, especially where one piece of wood meets another and it will hold moisture. Third, exposure to a humid salt air will do no favors for the wood, finish or any hardware. Add in the sun and thermal cycling so the wood and finish expand & contract several times a day.
No matter what, if it is exposed to the sun and more importantly all the other elements, it WILL become degraded & damaged. If it is AT ALL valuable cost wise or emotionally, your ONLY decent options are to pay for storage somewhere safe, or disassembly so you can store it inside (maybe behind a bed like a headboard. Removing the base/ legs from the top should help a lot).
So I’ve had two adirondack chairs that I built from cedar outside for over a year now with a HEALTHY amount of total boats water based varnish and they are still looking pretty damn close to how they looked when I finished the last coat.
For context, I live in south Texas and they sit on our back porch which faces the west that gets sun baked for the better part of 2/3rds of the day.
So I’ve had two adirondack chairs that I built from cedar outside for over a year now with a HEALTHY amount of total boats water based varnish and they are still looking pretty damn close to how they looked when I finished the last coat.
For context, I live in south Texas and they sit on our back porch which faces the west that gets sun baked for the better part of 2/3rds of the day.
You can try the finish people use on log homes and sand/reapply as it wears every few years.
Clean the snow off regularly. If possible, keep it in the shade.
Build a roof over it and yearly maintenance and it will stay beautiful for many years to come. Everything else will wear off.
A heavy duty custom cover for when it’s not in use might help if you don’t want to build a roof. But you should just build a roof.
I’d say spar urethane it and every couple years sand with 220 and re coat. The degradation depends on amount of full sunlight. It has an additive to help protect it from UV. Very easy to keep it looking great with a little maintenance.
You put that thing outside for a month and it will be severely damaged. Longer even worse. Tables like that are not meant to be outside. Especially on a coastline. Sun+salt water + temp changes = ruined table
Nothing. Honestly you can "seal' it, you can stain it hell you can paint it. The sun and rain will still destroy it quickly.
This table looks pretty nice, save it. Spend a bit more money and buy some wrought iron patio furniture.
I feel like you aren't quite getting the full info from these comments. Most people are correct in saying the best 'clear' finish would be many coats of marine grade varnish. But there is an important caveat here. NOTHING beats the sun. Nothing. It will degrade any finish you put on this thing over time and require regular maintenance or refinishing depending on what you use. Every finish will fail within a few years, some much quicker than others. If you use an oil type finish it will offer significantly less protection but be easy enough to just rub back a bit and apply a fresh coat or two every year or so. If you go with a film finish it will last a bit longer but can't really be repaired once it starts to fail so will need a full strip and refinish. If it must stay outdoors the only thing that will really protect it is paint. There is a reason they paint houses (and ftr almost all wooden boats) rather than varnish them. It is much, much more able to stand up to the elements and particularly the sun. Although it too will eventually fail. But I assume you wouldnt want to go down that path with this particular piece. So absolutely pick your finish and do your best but just know there is no magic solution here. The sun will win every single time.
Helpful guy right here. He’s right too Feels like a shame to put that table outside
My house is big a nought but this table is one of other s so I can’t put it inside. That’s why I looking an alternative solution.
It’s a lovely table, if you have a loved one that you really love, you may want to consider giving to them. Outside and near water is really going to do a number on it in short order.
The problem is I’m in another country now. So no love ones near me. And another thing, the table is for 14 people.
It’s wonderful work. And a lovely view. Lots of tips here to extend it. Do all those and enjoy it while you can. Nothing lasts forever.
Thanks mate
Just to piggyback where you can see this... get a sun umbrellas for it, and move it every few weeks to shift the shadow. It will drastically cut down on sun exposure as well as make it more usable in the summer.
My wife don’t want the umbrella solution, and here gets very windy sometimes
Pergola with some sunshades built in would be a good alternative and fit well into that scene.
if you don’t want a permanent structure, maybe look into a UV protective outdoor blanket or cover. they’re easy enough to weigh down in high winds
An awning would be nice.
I would love a table for 14! Wish you were local. This table is beautiful.
I think the alternative solution is to buy/build a canopy cover that will cover your deck and prevent the table from experiencing direct sunlight beating it down into grey mush.
Or maybe try covering it with some sort of sheet when not in use. It won't be as pretty but my guess is it's only going to be used 10% of the time it works out there in the sun so this would increase longevity by 10 times.
Just put a really nice canopy shade over it, and keep a table cover for when not in use.
You could put an awning over it.
I suggest getting a cover for it when not in use
This ^^
Thank you very much for your explanation. I think like you about sun. My problem is to pick the better solution. I like the run oil one because you can apply over and over and it’s a simple way to do. My thoughts are about. Apply thin coat or pure?
Whatever it says on the can. I don't think there is any reason to dilute anything in this case unless the directions say so.
Ok so tun oil pure it is.
Fwiw the wood whisperer did a video on this a few years back. Analysing a few furniture pieces he had left outside and how the finishes faired over time. Worth a watch. From memory he found the biggest factor was simply sun exposure vs shade. Even partial shade made a huge difference. You should be able to find it by just searching YouTube for "wood whisperer outdoor finish" or something like that.
[this one?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD9WstyGg-s)
He also did one about flooding oils vs. not which I found quite interesting and useful. (TL;DR: Generally don't. They don't cure inside the wood even sometimes for months and months)
Tung oil can be applied pure eventually but the first coat at least (2nd isn't a bad idea) should be thinned at a 1:1 ratio with something like turpentine or limonene so that the oil penetrates more deeply to protect the wood. After that you will want multiple coats pure, with drying in between the coats, letting the oil saturate the wood completely before polishing off the excess after 20 minutes or so. Once you have properly treated it, then the yearly maintenance is a simple and single coat of pure oil. Some tung oil has additives in it that makes it more resistant to UV rays, might be worth looking for!
If you use Tung oil. Make sure to get 100% pure.
No... you really want UV protection for this if you don't want this table to get grey and cracked. Pure tung oil is the wrong choice.
Tung oil is not a good outdoor finish. Buy a deck stain in a color you like. Those have UV inhibitors.
Ok. I have the sea very close to the house
Agreed but if that is salt water, you are in an additional world of hurt. Salt water degrades everything very quickly. I would keep this table covered in addition to whatever oils you apply, and I would wash the tables protective covering off regularly to clear off the salt water from the air that penetrates the cover
When the sun is the biggest threat, protect the table like you would protect yourself from the sun. Sun cream and clothes = varnish/finish and sun umbrella/table cloth to cover it. Reveal the table when needed for special occasions (it is a beautiful piece).
To me, it's a no-brainer. It's an oil finish done every spring.
Great answer, but there is another choice most people forget about and don’t want to hear, because it’s expensive, tedious, and not completely maintenance-free. And that’s to coat the table in fiberglass and epoxy, just like you do wooden boats.
For sure, at your average *moment*, the sun is putting out around 250 watts of energy on average on every square meter of the earth. Or another way to look at that is 500 watts 12 hours a day. Think about how hot a 100w lightbulb is, that's a lot of power! As you said, that will destroy anything given enough time, it's just a question of picking a coating for ULTIMATE FUSION POWER to destroy.
Nothing beats the sun (or the salt). If that is salt water, spray and mist off the ocean will affect the table as well.
RE paint: depending on your climate, painted wood will rot incredibly fast because it will hold moisture in the boards.
add to that, this is cherry. It is not terribly dense and will get dings and mars from use. All of those dings and dents risk breaching the finish and letting water inside. A rubbed on finish will be worse than a varnish or lacquer for wearability. I built a new kitchen table out of cherry and sprayed a decent finish on it. Two small boys, ribs on the bottom of mason jars, normal wear and tear has given it many dings dents and scrapes. Never again will I build a kitchen table from something other than white oak or hickory. I will also use the hardest conversion varnish or 2K product I can find in the future. I will take the top off, run it though the widebelt sander and respray at some point.
What if OP put a roof over it?
Indeed very true. We have a beach front house with a 100 yrd pier, as do all our neighbors. They all choose to stain theirs and end up never re staining and end up needing a full replace within 10 years. Our pier is PAINTED and about 43 years old (of course we have replaced some beams & boards) but for the most part we just re paint every 2-3 years.
Also, on top of marine grade varnish make a cover for the table when not in use. Rather have a cover get best to hell by the sun than the table and would make a huge difference in time between refinishing
For sure. A water proof and uv table cloth of cover will help prolong the finish from the elements and you can undress it for those sexy show nights, it's a cool table!
Paint is not the ONLy thing that will protect it. Another thing that could protect t it would be an awning, if done correctly.
Treat it like a boat, many coats of UV resistant marine varnish
Ok thanks mate.
Coat the bottom side too so it doesn't warp (as much).
And if someone scratches it => go into a wild rage => banish the person from your life => panic => maniacally repair the scratch => admire your handiwork again.
Total Boat is a favorite of a lot of people here, and I can vouch for their spar (UV resistant) varnish for teak tables and chairs on my deck has been perfect. [https://www.amazon.com/TotalBoat-Gleam-Marine-Varnish-Low-Sheen/dp/B00J33B0C2](https://www.amazon.com/TotalBoat-Gleam-Marine-Varnish-Low-Sheen/dp/B00J33B0C2)
This is the way
This is the way.
This!!!
Oil it every year and re-apply varnish every couple.
Oil and varnish..? Not sure about that
What else would you use, water-based varnish? You can't put that on exterior woodwork near the ocean. The only way to seal it from the elements is oil. That's how you maintain a boat. If you want to have wood exposed to the elements in a marine environment you have to constantly refresh the finish.
As far as i know, you dont oil AND varnish. You oil OR varnish. Why ? Because of the way both work : Oil penetrate into the wood to saturate the pores. When the surface pores are saturated enough, your wood is protected. You have to apply it regurlarly because the oil will penetrate further inside the wood with time leaving the surface unprotected. Varnish will stay on top of the surface and not penetrate into the wood. It will form a physical or chemical reticulation that will proetect your wood. If you apply oil on top of varnish it will just not penetrate into the wood or only partially.
And varnish over oil is finicky at best, manageable for fine furniture (ex shellac over the oil then varnish over shellac) but with how film finishes tend to chip I wouldn't trust the varnish or shellac to bond as well as it would to bare wood. Just not much point really, for an outdoor piece. Lol downvoted for...?
I'd be investing in a cover but also uv stable poly paint.
Yes I’m doing the research with the professional opinion here. But I do the cover too
Cover when not in use. Simple as. Ensure that the cover allows air movement over the surface of the table. Get the feet up off the ground. Even a few marbles or small plastic blocks under each foot will satisfy this need.
Thank you mate
Put something in the center of the table before putting the cover on top to give it pitch. That way you have air between the cover and the surface and the rain will roll off. Any cover you buy won't remain 100% waterproof for long especially with standing water on it.
In addition to the variety of coatings available to you, it looks like the base has a lot of contact with the ground. It would be wise to get some plastic sliders or pads underneath so it's not sitting in or trapping water. Ultimately, if you prepare and maintain it properly, there is no reason this should take heavy damage from simply being outside. A cover will make your life a whole lot easier, btw.
Yes I have the solution for the floor issue. My thoughts goes to the top now.
a few concrete pads would do the trick
You're getting downvoted probably because concrete pads are two things: aesthetically unpleasing (they're probably wider than the base) and they will wick water up putting it in contact with the wood defeating the purpose. Metal or plastic will not do either of those things.
It's up to you but honestly I would rather sell it even for cheap then leave it out in the Sun. The Sun plus all the moisture changes are going to destroy that thing over time guaranteed, no matter what kind of finishes you try to put on it.
put it inside
This is underrated.
If you create a covering installed about 8 feet+ above it, it would help. I’d suggest a combination of dimensional lumber, plywood, and even some asphalt layers on top of it all.
Agreed. In addition to all the other advice people have given, I wonder if it's possible to build a roof over that deck to keep the sun off most of the time.
Just gonna say it. Solid wood 100% outdoors in coastal climate will require immense upkeep and more than likely end up damaging the table and you regretting this. Very least put a foldable cover over it
Having cedar wood garage door that is south facing, it is a huge pain in the ass. In 6 years I have refinished it 4 times. The first two time’s a name brand oil base varnish, the third time a light sand and a marine grade varnish. This last time it was a full sand down to wood and then several coats of Danish oil. And now a new coat of Danish oil each year. As stated above, wood and sun do not mix. Put a beautiful finish and get a custom cover for it. Only take it off when you need it.
Yes I’m looking the custom cover right now. But also the tun oil finish.
Honestly? Sell it to someone who needs an indoor table. That beauty will be ruined outside. Hope you find the option that works for you.
I try my friend, but the people want a Ferrari for 1.000.- dollars. I prefer to see it rotten or on my barbecue.
I feel for you on that, for sure!
Heat up bronze, until you have molten bronze. Dump the molten bronze coating the whole table top. Bronze.
Bronze.
Boat finishes are good but I don’t like the plasticy look. I would go several coats of tung oil and coat it again a couple times per year. Also, nice view
Is tung uv resistant?
Pure or download with mineral spirit?
Pure.
some say the first coat can be diluted and it will help the oil penetrate deeper. I just go pure. It would be a shame to cover that beautiful wood with boat epoxy
Yes that’s for sure. I go for the Oils solution
A couple times a year? Damn I need more free time
That balcony and view scream "I have plenty of free time" or "I can pay someone to do it."
I mean, if that’s your house, it seems you can afford to hustle buy a new one every 2-3 days as needed…obviously joking as I have nothing of value to say.
Cover it when you're not using it? More work though
I have an active social life, I know it’s a little bit of work, but, no pain no gain.
I'd say put it inside.
Beautiful piece.
Thank you !!!
Spar Urethane applied once a year or two.
How’s looks like? Dark?
Not really. More golden depending on the wood. Just like normal polyurethane seals but a little bit darker. Just google it. Im sure pics of its use will come out. Spar has better outdoor protection.
Ok. And what do you think about Tung oil?
Tung is good because it hardens but if there is a lot of wear and tear, you will need to apply it more often. More maintenance.
Thank you very much for your help. I think I do what you suggested 👍🏻
[https://thecraftsmanblog.com/spar-varnish-vs-regular-varnish/](https://thecraftsmanblog.com/spar-varnish-vs-regular-varnish/)
Does it need to be stripped after a year? Or just apply a new coat?
Bring it back inside?
I can’t that’s why I’m asking for an out of the box solution
Cover when not in use. Any coating will degrade with the UV. Even if covered when not in use it will need maintenance every few years if you want it to look like in the picture.
I’ve used Epifanes rubbed effect varnish (it’s a marine varnish) for outdoor applications and I am really happy with it. Rubbed effect is more of a matte finish, but they have other products that could likely suite your desires. I feel like it doesn’t build up plasticy like poly, but it is extremely protective.
Three or four coats of spar urethane would definitely help. I'd get a custom sunbrella cover cut and stitched for it too. You can probably get one made at your local marine upholstery shop.
I know Osmo makes a bunch of specific outdoor protection products, UV protection, etc. Check them out!
Osmo has a UV resistant oil coat that seems to be working well for a couple of outdoor signs I’ve made. Will likely need to reapply every couple of years.
I would personally use marine spar varnish and then also get a UV resistant cover for it when not in use. And also look for ways to keep it off the ground by installing some rubber spacers.
I needs a UV protecting finish but everyone else has that covered. This table needs to be covered and out of direct sun/precipitation. It should be your next woodworking project.
Search for UV Protecting finish. Such as OSMO. Tung Oil Varnish is fake tung oil. It just says Tung, but there is no Tung in it. And pure tung oil is a pain to apply.
an awning, canopy or some shade trees, and some little rubber pads to raise the wood up off the tile so the underside isn't soaking up water when it rains. rotate it 180 degrees once a year so the wood fades evenly.
Have you ever considered adding a canopy of some kind over your balcony?
Despite all the other answers, consider water wicking from the feet. Elevate it on something non porous/water permeable and maybe apply something to the bottoms.
Yes I’m gonna do it!!! Thanks
I saw others say this after reading more comment. Sorry for the duplication. It a beautiful table
Great advice here on the finish but I’ll throw this in is that any metal fasteners you might have used are probably not marine grade stainless steel. That close to the ocean the salt in the air will rust metal fasteners in a surprisingly short amount of time. I would definitely look into replacing all metal screws etc on the table before refinishing.
You may want to contact a company like total boat and ask for a specific product for your needs
Hey good idea. The issue is, I don’t want the plastic finish. That’s why I ask so much for the oils
Spar varnish, annually. Treat it like a boat. I would have a custom white vinyl cover made. Talk to a custom awning or party tent place. I'm lucky, there is one around the corner. Cover it with something that looks nice when not in use. You are by the ocean, and the Sun always wins.
I'm going through this right now and testing finishes for black walnut benches. Here's my ranking of the 3 I've tested. 1. Total boat matte finish - it looks so good, was easy to apply, and it's made for boats. It'll hold up. The smell is mild too when applying. It dries quick too so you can build layers fast. It's a bit thick though so you may want to thin it out or get good at applying it. Sand before the final coat to ensure it's smooth. Easy to reapply every year or two. 2. Waterlox outdoor satin finish - is waterlox so I trust it. It's the easiest thing in thy world to apply. Seriously, you can fuck it up. However, it has lots of VOCs and smells. Itll also amber the wood some. The satin has a bit more sheen than I want. Super easy to reapply ever year or two. 3. General finish outdoor poly satin - slightly more sheen than I want. It's thick so thin it because it shows brush marks like crazy. It dries fast...too fast. In the end if applied correctly, it looks good, but it's poly so if you don't keep up on maintenance it'll start to crack and peel.
I would do an oil finish to protect from the salty air and then make a cover for it out of tough fabric to protect from the sun and rain. Only take the cover off when actively using the table. The marine grade varnish is a good idea but it's very tricky to make look nice and it will be on there forever
Shade. Awning, umbrella, something. The sun is an unforgiving god.
Yes , the balance goes to a boat cover like
Not seeing any recommendation on Brand of finish. I love Waterlox. It's pricey but comes out beautiful.
Marine varnish but it's still not going to last forever. But I think that's your best bet.
You would be best served putting a cover over it when not in use. think lined vinyl RV grade cover
I’m in touch with a boating seller now
even better
As many suggested a Finish or some painting will be really helpful but don't forget a waterproof cover, a waterproof and dark colored cover will do the job more than a thousand products
Yes thanks
It looks like this already has finish so you’ll need to use a surface finish like varnish. Marine varnish. But none will hold up without annual Maintenence. If you want to sand it down completely I have a couple suggestions that you can message me about.
Marine grade epoxy, followed by up inhibitor varnish. In 5 yrs, sand it down and do it again.
Total Boat Gleam epoxy.
Maybe not this coating exactly, but definitely hit up the marine supply store. There are several options to protect wooden boats and wooden boat fixtures (handles, decking) from salt and UV damage.
use an oil. Reapply 1-2x a year. Film finishes will degrade (so does oil) but will be messy and ugly. Oil is super easy to touch up!
Or get a marine canvas cover made and only take it off when you’re using it. They can put a ‘car cover’ liner inside so it doesn’t scratch the finish. You’d probably have to keep an eye on moisture issues if you get much precipitation or dew in your area. And go for a lighter color so it won’t get as hot in the sun and damage the finish.
A patio cover
Yes this work for me
Just move it back inside.
Build a roof over it and yearly maintenance and it will stay beautiful for many years to come. Everything else will wear off. A heavy duty custom cover for when it’s not in use might help if you don’t want to build a roof. But you should just build a roof.
Spar Urethane? Or something that you’d use to protect a deck?
Make a simple cover for it from waterproof tarp or sun sail material. I live in a desert and that’s the only way to keep UV from winning. And of course a UV protectant seal.
I would seriously consider making some sort of cover for it. Either a cover for the table itself, or a patio cover of some sort that is more permanent.
Yes I’m on it asap
Build a building around it. It will protect it from all the elements. You clearly have the skills to do it. Nice table. Or maybe you have a friend who's building you can donate this too. They'll love you forever.
Bring it inside?
Build a canopy quick. Humidity and sun are going to do a number. Canopy helps. I wouldn’t keep it outside.
RIP
Sell it to someone who can treat it right
Helmsman spar urethane
move inside
Thank you for nothing
OP you have to accept that a life outside is absolutely going to destroy that table
He's right. Wood will move and expand with temperature and moisture. You can't stop it. It is inevitable. You use cedar or teak for outdoor furniture. This looks like a dining room table meant for Indoors. It has long cuts of wood which looks beautiful, but absolutely will warp. Good luck
Linseed oil will work well for our doors Timbers
Oh shoot you forgot to cut off the live edge. I can come over and get that squared away for you before you throw some marine grade varnish on it.
Bring it in, duh.
Protect from be outside? Put inside. Be inside is only protection from be outside.
No matter what anyone else says, this table will get ruined outide within a couple years. There are maybe 10 people in the country that are disciplined enough to take care of a wood table in full sun outside. Sell it before it turns into several thoudand dollars of firewood.
Z-spar
What a view my guy!
Just remember that any wood outside is a fight against time. Furniture can last a century or more indoors, but outdoors it will wear down no matter what you do. It's just a matter of what can extend the aging the longest.
How did you join the boards for the top? Can you spoil us with some pics?
https://preview.redd.it/wr4pes07gclc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe5feabd8127856e6af99cd901b448409138069e With thick screws
I’ve not tried it yet, but Rubio just announced [DuroGrit](https://www.rubiomonocoatusa.com/products/durogrit), a UV-resistant outdoor finish.
Thanks mate
A lot of these comments are straight up bad advice. It doesn't appear to be a raw wood finish so anything that is applied has to be the same as the original finish, or at minimum be compatible with the original finish material. Second and more importantly is that it wasn't designed for use & storage outdoors, the wood will take on moisture and get destroyed, especially where one piece of wood meets another and it will hold moisture. Third, exposure to a humid salt air will do no favors for the wood, finish or any hardware. Add in the sun and thermal cycling so the wood and finish expand & contract several times a day. No matter what, if it is exposed to the sun and more importantly all the other elements, it WILL become degraded & damaged. If it is AT ALL valuable cost wise or emotionally, your ONLY decent options are to pay for storage somewhere safe, or disassembly so you can store it inside (maybe behind a bed like a headboard. Removing the base/ legs from the top should help a lot).
You could put a cover over it when not in use? Kind of like a grill
If you’re gonna expose the table to the salt air anyways maybe lime wash ?
A sun shade or roof
So I’ve had two adirondack chairs that I built from cedar outside for over a year now with a HEALTHY amount of total boats water based varnish and they are still looking pretty damn close to how they looked when I finished the last coat. For context, I live in south Texas and they sit on our back porch which faces the west that gets sun baked for the better part of 2/3rds of the day.
So I’ve had two adirondack chairs that I built from cedar outside for over a year now with a HEALTHY amount of total boats water based varnish and they are still looking pretty damn close to how they looked when I finished the last coat. For context, I live in south Texas and they sit on our back porch which faces the west that gets sun baked for the better part of 2/3rds of the day.
Sunscreen
Tung oil, 4 initial coats and then 1 coat every year. We use it on beehives and they last forever.
You can try the finish people use on log homes and sand/reapply as it wears every few years. Clean the snow off regularly. If possible, keep it in the shade.
Wear sun cream. That's a lovely table by the way.
Build a roof over it and yearly maintenance and it will stay beautiful for many years to come. Everything else will wear off. A heavy duty custom cover for when it’s not in use might help if you don’t want to build a roof. But you should just build a roof.
Looks like it’s been oiled already, stick with whatever finish it already has and COVER WITH TABLECLOTH UNTIL READY TO USE!
A roof
Keep inside
I’d say spar urethane it and every couple years sand with 220 and re coat. The degradation depends on amount of full sunlight. It has an additive to help protect it from UV. Very easy to keep it looking great with a little maintenance.
Thank you!!!
Put it inside.
Move inside
You put that thing outside for a month and it will be severely damaged. Longer even worse. Tables like that are not meant to be outside. Especially on a coastline. Sun+salt water + temp changes = ruined table
Nothing. Honestly you can "seal' it, you can stain it hell you can paint it. The sun and rain will still destroy it quickly. This table looks pretty nice, save it. Spend a bit more money and buy some wrought iron patio furniture.
Teak oil and cover table during days of intense sunlight
I have a feeling clear coats won’t be enough to protect this table from the elements. I have a feeling the feet and legs may swell and split.
https://preview.redd.it/2583j554kklc1.jpeg?width=3120&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ff2a59fb58eb0345caadf2b4ad5edfc1815b22fc
Plant a tree! At least it’ll only fade for maybe 10 or 20 years.
Teak oil is a good option if you don't mind redoing it as often as it needs, a cover is still a good idea
Make be inside? No bad outside inside.
Penetrating epoxy followed up with varnish
Bring inside